Thread: Little Tips II

- Honing

1. A strop with draw is an excellent indicator of sharpness

2. A high grit hone can be deceptive on the number of strokes it requires, most cut pretty s... l... o... w... l... y...

3. I like to watch the bevel when I hone and when it flashes light at me and reflects the overhead light strong enough to hurt my eye then I've "arrived"

4. In the right hands a thin hone has more power and capabilities then we realize

5. There is a gap in results that happens with every high grit hone where the razor fails to make any progress. I think you should ride that gap a little then move on to the next grit.

6. A light touch does the real work at the end

7. A little pressure does the real work at the beginning

-Stropping

1. Keep the razor flat when stropping

2. An x pattern while stropping helps a little

3. It is possible to create a less than sharp edge, yet not roll it, by torquing the shank slightly when you strop.

4. A super taught strop can develop gaps in stropping ability.

5. It is the strop that creates the razors edge, not the hone

- Shaving

1. Short controlled strokes work well

2. The direction you shave in has a great effect on whether the whisker gets cut

3. Double lathering can help, apply and let soak, then apply again

4. Dry lather does not work well at all

5. Applying a "lather" on part of your face and using a wet hand to apply it evenly can reduce the buildup of excessive lather that creates buildup

6. Stretching the skin and moving the razor right along the skin to shave and not into the skin is a critical part of the "art".

7. An against the grain pass is for those who didn't get it right the first time, an across the grain pass is a great compromise

8. The support offered at the base of the razor often makes a big difference in the ease of the stroke

- General

1. Strangely, the straight razor should feel like a razor on your face, yet smoother

2. Patience is a very good thing, especially after you've applied lather

3. A little stubble is better than a little irritation

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

3. I like to watch the bevel when I hone and when it flashes light at me and reflects the overhead light strong enough to hurt my eye then I've "arrived"

Is that the only indication you need?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

4. In the right hands a thin hone has more power and capabilities then we realize

How does the thinness of the hone come into play? Do you mean narrow?

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

7. An against the grain pass is for those who didn't get it right the first time, an across the grain pass is a great compromise

That would be me! I don't know that it will ever be possible for me to get it right the first time

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

3. A little stubble is better than a little irritation

How true!

Thanks for the tips, I enjoyed reading these

Thanks for your views on this. I know that there are many routes to arrive at a good shave, & it's always interesting to apply the advice & techniques of others & see hiow they work for me.

Great post.

The only comment I would make is the strop-draw thing. if your using a Horsehide strop there will likely be no draw. That works with cowhide and I'm not sure about other critters.

love these!!

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

4. Dry lather does not work well at all

check
actually on second thought, scratch off 'well' in that statement

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

7. An against the grain pass is for those who didn't get it right the first time, an across the grain pass is a great compromise

this has got to be my favorite

I'm not sure I got all of them but I enjoyed reading . thanks